{"id":294777,"date":"2021-02-19T16:53:05","date_gmt":"2021-02-19T06:53:05","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/southburnett.com.au\/news2\/?p=294777"},"modified":"2021-02-21T17:02:02","modified_gmt":"2021-02-21T07:02:02","slug":"happy-hippy-program-is-recruiting","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/southburnett.com.au\/news2\/2021\/02\/19\/happy-hippy-program-is-recruiting\/","title":{"rendered":"Happy HIPPY Program Is Recruiting"},"content":{"rendered":"
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Manaia Fisher-Williams was enjoying some painting at the HIPPY Have-A-Go Day at Cherbourg on Thursday<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n
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Edward Aubrey, 4, was also having fun<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n

February 19, 2021<\/strong><\/p>\n

You may have seen them recently at the Murgon Markets, outside Murgon IGA or at the Have-A-Go Day on Thursday at Cherbourg’s Ration Shed precinct … the team from HIPPY is very keen to get their message out.<\/p>\n

They’re enrolling now!<\/p>\n

So what is HIPPY? Co-ordinator Robyn Hofmeyr said HIPPY stands for “Home Interaction Program For Parents and Youngsters”.<\/p>\n

It’s not a program for children, it’s a program for their families.<\/p>\n

The two-year HIPPY program usually works with mothers, aunts or nans (although male relatives are also welcome, of course!).<\/p>\n

Families join up when a child is aged three, turning four.<\/p>\n

The aim is to inspire families to become their child’s first teacher.<\/p>\n

Activity packs and peer-to-peer support helps the child transition towards and during their first year at school.<\/p>\n

Robyn emphasised the basis of the program was having fun, to encourage a love of learning.<\/p>\n

HIPPY families receive free HIPPY story books, activity packs and other materials as well as regular time with a HIPPY tutor.<\/p>\n

And this is where the HIPPY program is extra special …<\/p>\n

The tutors are four adults who have children in the HIPPY program. They receive special training to enable them to work with other families.<\/strong><\/p>\n

Robyn believes it is this peer-to-peer support which makes HIPPY so successful.<\/p>\n

And although HIPPY is based in Cherbourg, it is not just for Indigenous children.<\/p>\n

Most of the activities occur in the child’s home, wherever that is located …<\/p>\n

Families with Health Care Cards are eligible and non-Indigenous children have been HIPPY kids.<\/p>\n

Robyn is very keen to get more Murgon families enrolled.<\/p>\n

HIPPY is funded by the Federal Government and the Brotherhood Of St Laurence.<\/p>\n

For more information, contact Robyn on (07) 4168-3990 or The Ration Shed on (07) 4169-5753.<\/p>\n